Travel Tips – The Essential Toiletry List

I recently went on a 10 day vacation and, as usual, agonized over packing. I always struggle with packing enough but not too much, not to mention packing it efficiently. While on this trip, I developed a little list of the essential toiletries one needs to pack for a few nights away. Naturally, what you need to take with you all depends on where you're going. My list has the things least likely to be in your hotel room and that you most likely have personal preferences about. It's a jumping off point that works well for me. If you're venturing into the woods or sailing around the world, your list might be quite different. :)

Tips for Using Pinterest

About a year ago, I posted a list of 13 Tips for How to Use Pinterest and Gain Followers. I thought it was about time to revisit the topic and give you an update. Since that post, Pinterest has updated their site, both online and mobile, and my Pinterest followers have increased from about 1,500 to over 11,500. None of my tips are scientifically proven, but they've worked for me!

Time Management – The 20/20/20 Method

If you're anything like me then you have a to-do list a mile long. There are some things you want to do, like sew that new dress, and some you really don't want to do, like clean the toilet. I devised a little method to help me stay focused and do (almost) everything that I need to. Say you have three things you need to get done. For example, cleaning, sewing and paying bills. Set your timer (I use my phone) for 20 minutes and set to one task. When the timer goes off switch to your next task. You'll stay focused and won't get bored or frustrated because you know that you won't be doing any one thing for an unbearable amount of time. (There is a very similar technique called the Pomodoro but it's a little too involved for me.)

It's completely foolproof, of course. I still get distracted and start a new project or make a mess or ignore the timer and do something for an extra 10 and 20 minutes. But, it's been a really helpful method for me. How do you stay organized and on top of things? Do you have any tricks for forcing yourself to do the dishes or anything else equally abhorrent (can you tell I hate cleaning :)?

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So long Google Reader, Hello Bloglovin

I'm sure by now you've heard that Google Reader will be stopping service on July 1. If you're still looking for a new blog reader, I recommend giving bloglovin' a try. I've been using bloglovin' for over a year now and I couldn't be happier with it, both as a blogger and blog reader. Years and years ago I tried to use delicious to bookmark blogs I liked but it never really worked for me for obvious reasons. What I really like about bloglovin is that I can organize all the blogs I follow into categories. So, if I feel like reading food blogs, I can go right to that category. Or if I need to catch up on fashion or sewing, I can go to those categories. I really love the clean interface and that I can easily track my own follower stats.

Go here for a tutorial on transferring your google rss feed to bloglovin. It's really easy. I did it myself. You can follow me on bloglovin' here. Thank you!! I love all my followers. :) :) :)

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Essentials for Plane Travel and Font Friday

Today I'm heading off to Chicago for the weekend. So exciting! I haven't been in about 15 years and I'm so looking forward to seeing it again. So in honor of the trip, today's Font Friday is Arsenale White – a handwritten font perfect for "writing" out a travel checklist. I found this font via this great roundup of free handwritten fonts from A Subtle Revelry.

Create a Sewing Pattern Catalog - Evernote for Crafters Part 2

How to create a Sewing Pattern Catalog using Evernote

For years I've been searching for an easy way to digitally catalog my 100+ sewing patterns. I've tried a few free online sites and I know there are others you can purchase but so far haven't been satisfied. I wanted something quick, visual and portable. I really wanted something like Ravelry but for sewing (if you are a knitter you know what I'm talking about). I know there are some sites developing out there but the ones I tried were too time consuming or confusing.

Blogging Tips - Evernote for Crafters Part 1

I've recently started using Evernote as a way to document and organize my projects and well my life. I love that I can take a note at home on my laptop and it's automatically uploaded to my smartphone. I can also access those notes from any web browser. Here are a few ways that Evernote can be helpful for crafters and designers.

Top 10 Most Useful Tools for Quilting

These are the tools I find most essential for cutting, piecing and quilting. These might actually be my most useful tools for any sewing project. And some of them are useful for other kinds of craft projects like cutting paper or measuring stuff. So check 'em out!

1. Self-Healing Cutting Mat

A self-healing cutting mat is essential whether you're using a rotary cutter on fabric or an exacto blade and paper. The mat will protect your work surface from being damaged by the blade. As you can see from mine above, the mat does reveal wear and tear over time. This mat is probably over 10 years old and I use it all the time. Considering that, it's still in pretty good shape. This mat is the type sold in art supply stores and is a little thicker than the ones found in the quilting supply section of the craft store. I also have a thinner cutting mat but I find myself only using the more heavy duty one. Mine is 24 x 18 inches which works well for most projects. I occasionally find myself wishing for something larger but it would be a nuisance to store. 

2. Transparent Grid Ruler

This is the best kind of ruler for cutting precise geometric pieces of fabric or even paper. I mostly use my 6 x 12 inch but when I'm cutting a longer piece of fabric I use a 6 x 24 inch ruler. There are lots of different sizes but I've been perfectly satisfied with these two. If I were to buy another, it would be a square, larger than 6 inches.

3. Rotary Cutter

This little blade works like a pizza cutter. Using this along with your self-healing mat and your transparent ruler, you'll be able to quickly and accurately slice up fabric. The blades are easily replaced by unscrewing the the center nut.

4. Iron

I invested in a Rowenta iron a few months ago and it's so nice. Ironing is essential whether you're making quilts or making clothes. I couldn't live without mine.

5. 1/4 inch piecing foot

This sewing machine foot is built to scale so you can easily stitch a 1/4 inch seam. Simple as that. A 1/4 inch seam is the standard for most quilting projects. Why is it important? If you veer from that measurement, your design mat not fit together correctly and it will look wonky and you'll be sad.

6. Quilting foot

This little gem helps you sew layers of fabric together by moving the top layer of fabric just as the feed dogs move the bottom layer of fabric. Without it, your fabric could get stretched out and yucky on the top layer. This foot is also great for sewing knit fabrics.

7. Long straight pins

Ever since I started using these luxurious long pins with lovely colorful beaded heads, I've known I could never go back to a little stubby pin. These pins are easy to pick up and handle and hold the fabric together steadily. What more could you ask for?

8. Small Scissors

Use these little snips to trim threads at the machine. It's so much easier to pick up a small pair for quick clip than a bulky full size one. And a small pair of scissors fits nicely on a crowded sewing table. 

9. Disappearing ink fabric pen

Well, how can you not want a disappearing ink pen? Use this pen to mark your stitching lines when stitching across the interior of a fabric.

10. Seam Ripper

We all make stitching mistakes from time to time to all the time (or so it seems some days). The seam ripper will get rid of them. Invest in one with an ergonomic handle and you won't regret it.

Is there anything I left out? What tools can you not live without?